Tuolumne County Commission on Aging

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
~ Seneca, Roman philosopher mid-1st century AD

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Awards Handed out at the 2012 Centenarians’ Awards Luncheon!

Cathie Peacock, the Chair of the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging Centenarian Committee, presided over the awards luncheon held at the Senior Center on October 24, 2012.  Five new Centenarians were  inducted into the Tuolumne County University of Life: Edith Bettanini, Esther Handy, Irene “Tommy” Manson, Fran Economou and Isabel Hargrove.  Alumni centenarians honored that day were: Esther Butler 103, Erma Guissi 103, Sue March 102. Twenty-seven upcoming Seniors(99 years old), Juniors (98 years old), Sophomores (97 years old), and Freshmen (96 years old) were also recognized.  A lovely picture of Esther (Handy), Tommie  and Isabel was  featured in Friday’s Union Democrat.

The Tuolumne County Commission on Aging acknowledges and honors our citizens who have reached age 96 years of age or older. Every year they will be inducted into Tuolumne County’s Centenarian Society and are recognized as students in the University of Life of Wisdom and Experience.

Jots & Thoughts… by Roberta Goodwin

COASenior Website Launched!! The Tuolumne County Commission on Aging’s new website is up!  Check it out at: http://coasenior.com/

A new feature: Our county supes send in news to our blog from their goings on around the county.

“Heads Up From Our Board of Supervisors”
Supervisor’s Corner, By John L. Gray, Tuolumne County Supervisor, District 4
http://www.yosemitehwyherald.com/images/November_12.pdf

I have received a number of questions recently concerning the newly completed study, by the Tuolumne ounty Transportation Council (TCTC). The study is called Tuolumne Tomorrow. Tuolumne Tomorrow is a study that deals with the planning process for directing future growth and enhancing the quality of life in Tuolumne County across the next few decades. Tuolumne Tomorrow is a coordinated effort between the City of Sonora, Tuolumne County, Tuolumne County Transportation Council and local residents who participated to develop a long-range vision for growth and development and environmental protection. The growth scenario adopted by the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors is titled Distinctive Communities Alternative.

The study is a tool to help assist the County and its residents to plan for future growth. The Blue Print process began in late 2007. The work has been funded by a grant from Cal Trans. Having this document in place will help the County secure funding for future infrastructure improvements. A  complete report on Tuolumne Tomorrow can be found on TCTC web page www.tuolumnetransportationcouncil.org

One of the first time achievements has been the establishment of a business plan for Tuolumne County’s two airports. The two airports operate as an enterprise fund. As a  business, they should at least pay for themselves and as a primary goal not be subsidized by the general  fund. We are not achieving that goal at this time. The purpose of the business plan is to quantify and qualify how the airports can fulfill their potential and at the same time achieve the financial goal of at least breaking  even. The County operates two distinct airports. One airport is in Columbia, the other at Pine Mountain Lake in Groveland.

The completed business plan for the two airports shows that if the assumptions made in the plan are correct the airports can be at a “breakeven point” in combined budgets in 2015-16 budget years. or a complete report on the Airport Business plans go to Tuolumne County web site www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov

I have had a number of meetings dealing with Old Priest Grade issues. In those meetings we have discussed concerns regarding line of sight safety when traveling west and the need for better signage to discourage motor home and truck and trailer traffic. The Cal Trans representative assured me that he would look into those above-mentioned issues and others concerning the route along the corridor and come back with a plan for improvements. I will continue dialogue with the State Agency to make sure that the deficiencies are corrected.

On October 13 I had the pleasure of speaking at the dedication of the new Don Pedro Fire House. What a great asset to the community. I congratulate all that were involved in bringing this project to completion. Job well done!

As most of you are aware Lyle Turpin will be ending his term as a Mariposa Supervisor this year. Lyle has been a great person to work with on all issues. I wish him the best of luck and look forward hearing more about his continued recovery.

I want to take one more opportunity to remind all of you about the importance of casting your vote on November 6. Locally, one of the most important ballot measures is Measure G in the Groveland district. I went into detail in my August and September articles on the importance of passing this ballot measure. Please remember this is not a new tax. It is an extension of an existing tax that helps provide necessary funds for the 24/7 ambulance service in Groveland. It takes a 2/3rds majority vote in order for the measure to pass. It’s simple, without the funding from the measure there will not be a 24/7 ambulance on the hill. I should not have to explain to any of you how devastating the loss of this vital service would be to our quality of life. The longer it takes to respond to an emergency the less chance there is for survival.

Because of furlough and the holidays I will not have office hours in Don Pedro and Groveland in November and December. There will not be an article in December.

I welcome your comments and invite you to contact me. If needed, I can meet with you in Don Pedro, Groveland or Sonora by appointment.

Call 209-533-5521 or send me an email at: jgray@co.tuolumne.ca.us

To go to: John Gray’s column in the YHH called “Supervisor’s Corner” (page 5)
take a peek here… http://www.yosemitehwyherald.com/images/November_12.pdf

Trend?
From a recent article by Kiplinger by Kathryn A. Walson, Staff Writer, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, which says there’s a slight trend for seniors to move back in with their adult children and even with their grandchildren. While college age kids and the so-called “boomerang” kids are getting all the press for moving back home in increasing numbers, it seems that twenty percent of older adults over the age of 65 are doing it as well (up from 17% in 1990). AARP says it’s an opportunity to bond with children and grandchildren in a way that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
Read more:http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/krr-when-a-parent-moves-in-with-the-kids.html#ixzz25Kjcjlhj

Driving into later years?
An old debate surfaces: as more people age into later and later years, more older people are driving. A recent Associated Press article describes a 100 year-old man who caused injuries to 11 people when he plowed into a group of parents and children outside a Los Angeles elementary school. The retired sales manager, who lives in Los Angeles, had just renewed his license with a perfect score on his written test. The debate: How old is too old to continue to drive?

Did YOU Know?… For your better living…

1. Area 12 Agency on Aging ~This agency’s helpful staff provides services to more than 11,000 seniors in five counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne. Services include information and assistance, caregiver support, nutrition, fitness, Medicare counseling and much more. The agency is headquartered in Sonora, at 19074 Standard Rd. Contact Area 12 at (209) 532-6272 or (800) 510-2020, www.area12.org … T’is the Season: one of Area 12’s season appropriate services is help with fire clearance. Call 532-6272 and ask about their “Chore” program, or ask them in general how they can help you with your other living challenges.

3. PG&E’s low-income program ~ PG&E has a low-income program called “The Energy Savings Assistance Program” and they partner locally with Sears to bring new refrigerators to folks. According to an installer I talked to named “Mike” … he and his crew make about 10 stops a day in the county to bring free brand-new refrigerators. His clients run to – he estimates – about 70% seniors. As part of the program, the crew even picks up their old refrigerators (and refurbishes/recycles them). The service area extends from Mi-Wuk to Riverbank, more or less, as he explained. Other features of the program include what they term “Improvements to your house, apartment or mobile home including compact fluorescent lights, caulking, showerheads, minor home repair and more.” To find out more about the program and whether you’re eligible, or if someone you KNOW is eligible, go to: http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram call or call 800-989-9744.

4. Senior Services Directory ~ Pick up this handy 24-page guide to local senior services at the sheriff’s Community Service Unit office in The Junction Shopping Center. Published by the nonprofit Senior Resource Service (SRS), it includes contact information for everything from health care and housing to transportation and emergency services – “anything a senior might need,” says Judy Finley, SRS president. A complete version of the directory (61 pages) is available online at the Friends and Neighbors website, http://www.tcfan.net, under the home-page link titled “Resources.”

5. “REACH” or “Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help” is a program provided by PG&E and administered by the Salvation Army to help folks with delinquent electricity bills. This from Catherine Driver: “We are working with our local Salvation Army to provide help to elders in need of assistance with their PG&E bills. We will be helping those 62 and over while Salvation Army will work with those under 62. (We will help in the case of a participant in the OE program, regardless of age.) Our part, like the Salvation Army’s, is to assist in filling out the needed paperwork and making sure all appropriate paperwork is included (i.e. PG&E bills, proof of age, etc.). We then call PG&E to make the ‘pledge’ and then fax the paperwork to Salvation Army in San Francisco. We can be reached at 532-7632 and Salvation Army can be reached at 588-1986. Catherine Driver, Engagement Coordinator, Older Adult Outreach &Engagement Program.”

7. Minor Home Repair ~ Area 12 Agency on Aging offers a program for eligible county seniors “designed to assist seniors over 60 who have home repair problems they cannot resolve which threaten health & safety.” To be eligible, you must: be 60 years of age or older; reside in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties; live in your own home. Typical repairs include… (among others) hard to turn faucets; leaky toilets; door knob repair; install grab bars; repair doors and windows; ramp repair. Call Area 12 Today for more information on how you can arrange for needed home repairs 209-532-6272… Or go to: http://www.area12.org/support.aspx. Also, you can view their website at: http://www.area12.org/

In future, we will blog with even more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned! And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see! We actively solicit your comments. You may contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email at aging2010@gmail.com

To go to:
Area 12 Agency on Aging’s website, go here: http://www.area12.org/
Little House website, go here: http://thelittlehouse.org
Friends and Neighbors website go here:http://seniorfan.com

THANK YOU for reading! … Editor Roberta Goodwin
(Comments are closed)

Website Disclaimer Notice… About Using This Website

Nothing on this website should be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging hereby excludes all representations and warranties whatsoever (whether implied by law or otherwise) relating to the content and use of this site. Information is provided on this site to be accessed and used by the individuals as they see fit and they must do their own due diligence as to the potential value or lack thereof.

“Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for
somebody else.”  ~ Maya Angelou

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REPORT PENDING… Awards Handed out at the 2012 Centenarians’ Awards Luncheon!

Cathie Peacock, and the The Tuolumne County Commission on Aging Centenarian Committee … has been working hard along with the other members of her committee to get ready for the 2012 Centenarian Awards Ceremony scheduled for October 24, 11AM.

The Tuolumne County Commission on Aging acknowledges and honors our citizens who have reached age 100 yrs or older.  They will be inducted into Tuolumne County’s Centenarian Society.  In addition, those who are 96 (freshman); 97 (sophomores); 98 (juniors); 99 (seniors) years old are recognized as students in the University of Life of Wisdom and Experience.

Jots & Thoughts…
by Roberta Goodwin

COASenior Website Launched!! The Tuolumne County Commission on Aging’s new website is up!
Check it out at:  http://coasenior.com/

Pinecrest Day Use Area Improvement Work Starting This Fall

“Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor, Susan Skalski, announced that construction for improvements to the restrooms, amphitheater and associated infrastructure of the popular Pinecrest Day Use Area is scheduled to begin this fall. The contract for construction is expected to be awarded soon with construction beginning in October; depending on how early the snow begins to fall this year.
The day use and parking improvements are anticipated to take three to five years to complete.  Construction activities are planned to occur September through May each year in order to avoid the busy summer recreation season.
For more information on the planned improvements, keep up with construction timelines and to sign up for email updates, the public is encouraged to visit: www.pinecrestlakeupdate.com.
This website is provided by the PG&E to help inform people of upcoming improvements to the Pinecrest Recreation Area.”

A new feature:  Our county supes will be sending in news to our blog from their goings on around the county. Here’s our first submission – below, from Liz Bass.  (John Gray’s will be linked to his column in Groveland’s Yosemite Highway Herald.)

“Heads Up From Our Board of Supervisors”
From Liz Bass, Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors

“Health care reform is a topic of  interest to all of us, but there is a particular group I am hearing about lately who may or may not be affected by system changes when all the dust settles.  They are the dual eligibles’.  The term means people who are now eligible for programs funded through both Medicare and Medi-Cal.

At this time, it seems that no one locally has full information on how the dual eligibles will receive services when the reforms go into effect.  There is a timeline that local agencies are working with to get things straightened out.  I have spoken to Ann Connolly and Pauline White about this during the past several months and they are both working hard to make sure that everything works out well for their clients.

If you hear the term “dual eligible,” I hope this short note will remind you that it refers to a service delivery system problem.  The Department of Human Services and Area 12 on Aging and are taking the lead on solving it here in Tuolumne County.

I’ll let you know more when I know more.  Liz”

To go to: John Gray’s column in the YHH called “Supervisor’s Corner” (page 5)
take a peek here… http://www.yosemitehwyherald.com/images/September_12.pdf

Trend?
From a recent article by Kiplinger by Kathryn A. Walson, Staff Writer, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, which says there’s a slight trend for seniors to move back in with their adult children and even with their grandchildren. While college age kids and the so-called “boomerang” kids are getting all the press for moving back home in increasing numbers, it seems that twenty percent of older adults over the age of 65 are doing it as well (up from 17% in 1990). AARP  says it’s an opportunity to bond with children and grandchildren in a way that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
Read more:http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/krr-when-a-parent-moves-in-with-the-kids.html#ixzz25Kjcjlhj

Driving into later years?
An old debate surfaces: as more people age into later and later years, more older people are  driving.  A recent Associated Press article describes a 100 year-old man who caused injuries to 11 people when he plowed into a group of parents and children outside a Los Angeles elementary school.  The retired sales manager, who lives in Los Angeles, had just renewed his license with a perfect score on his written test.  The debate: How old is too old to continue to drive?

Save the dates!!!!

2012 Centenarian Awards ~The 2012 Centenarian Awards ceremony is scheduled for October 24, 11AM – 12PM, Tuolumne County Senior Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our community’s Centenarian Society members and meet the County’s newest residents reaching the 100 years young milestone.

“Legal Matters” updated July, 2012

1. Silver Alert SB 38: proposed by Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose) – was recently passed… Almost 600,000 individuals in California have Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, that number will grow to more than 1.1 million by 2030, and 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer’s will wander away from their homes or care facilities at some point. People with Alzheimer’s often lose their cognitive ability to remember when to eat and drink or protect themselves from extreme weather. Silver Alert would be similar to the successful Amber Alert program for children. More on it from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Alert… A Silver Alert is a public notification system in the United States to broadcast information about missing persons – especially seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other mental disabilities – in order to aid in their return. Silver Alerts use a wide array of media outlets—such as commercial radio stations, television stations, and cable TV—to broadcast information about missing persons. Silver Alerts also use variable-message signs on roadways to alert motorists to be on the lookout for missing seniors.

2. SB 810: as per – http://www.democraticunderground.com/101440504 As of Tuesday Jan 31, 2012 “Today SB 810, “Medicare for All” single payer legislation, was killed on the California Senate Floor. More about the bill from this website: http://californiaonecare.org/learn-more/sb-810/sb-810-overview

3. AB 1525: Financial Elder Abuse: Money Transmitters sponsored by Assembly member Michael Allen)… This bill requires that money wire transfer services be included in the definition of mandatory reporters of suspected financial elder abuse.

4. AB 2374: sponsored by Assembly member Roger Hernandez. Prohibits a consumer credit card reporting agency from charging a person who is 65 years old or older a fee when placing a security freeze on his or her credit report.

5. AB 1648: Brownley: The California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, ftp://leginfo.public.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/sen/sb_1601-1650/sb_1648_cfa_20040618_120723_asm_comm.html

Did YOU Know?… For your better living…

1. Area 12 Agency on Aging ~This agency’s helpful staff provides services to more than 11,000 seniors in five counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne. Services include information and assistance, caregiver support, nutrition, fitness, Medicare counseling and much more. The agency is headquartered in Sonora, at 19074 Standard Rd. Contact Area 12 at (209) 532-6272 or (800) 510-2020, www.area12.org … T’is the Season: one of Area 12’s season appropriate services is help with fire clearance. Call 532-6272 and ask about their “Chore” program, or ask them in general how they can help you with your other living challenges.

3. PG&E’s low-income program ~ PG&E has a low-income program called “The Energy Savings Assistance Program” and they partner locally with Sears to bring new refrigerators to folks. According to an installer I talked to named “Mike” … he and his crew make about 10 stops a day in the county to bring free brand-new refrigerators. His clients run to – he estimates – about 70% seniors. As part of the program, the crew even picks up their old refrigerators (and refurbishes/recycles them). The service area extends from Mi-Wuk to Riverbank, more or less, as he explained. Other features of the program include what they term “Improvements to your house, apartment or mobile home including compact fluorescent lights, caulking, showerheads, minor home repair and more.” To find out more about the program and whether you’re eligible, or if someone you KNOW is eligible, go to: http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram call or call 800-989-9744.

4. Senior Services Directory ~ Pick up this handy 24-page guide to local senior services at the sheriff’s Community Service Unit office in The Junction Shopping Center. Published by the nonprofit Senior Resource Service (SRS), it includes contact information for everything from health care and housing to transportation and emergency services – “anything a senior might need,” says Judy Finley, SRS president. A complete version of the directory (61 pages) is available online at the Friends and Neighbors website, http://www.tcfan.net, under the home-page link titled “Resources.”

5. “REACH” or “Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help” is a program provided by PG&E and administered by the Salvation Army to help folks with delinquent electricity bills. This from Catherine Driver: “We are working with our local Salvation Army to provide help to elders in need of assistance with their PG&E bills. We will be helping those 62 and over while Salvation Army will work with those under 62. (We will help in the case of a participant in the OE program, regardless of age.) Our part, like the Salvation Army’s, is to assist in filling out the needed paperwork and making sure all appropriate paperwork is included (i.e. PG&E bills, proof of age, etc.). We then call PG&E to make the ‘pledge’ and then fax the paperwork to Salvation Army in San Francisco. We can be reached at 532-7632 and Salvation Army can be reached at 588-1986. Catherine Driver, Engagement Coordinator, Older Adult Outreach &Engagement Program.”

7. Minor Home Repair ~ Area 12 Agency on Aging offers a program for eligible county seniors “designed to assist seniors over 60 who have home repair problems they cannot resolve which threaten health & safety.” To be eligible, you must: be 60 years of age or older; reside in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties; live in your own home. Typical repairs include… (among others) hard to turn faucets; leaky toilets; door knob repair; install grab bars; repair doors and windows; ramp repair. Call Area 12 Today for more information on how you can arrange for needed home repairs 209-532-6272… Or go to: http://www.area12.org/support.aspx. Also, you can view their website at: http://www.area12.org/

In future, we will blog with even more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned! And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see!We actively solicit your comments. You may contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email at aging2010@gmail.com

To go to:
Area 12 Agency on Aging’s website, go here: http://www.area12.org/
Little House website, go here: http://thelittlehouse.org
Friends and Neighbors website go here:http://seniorfan.com

THANK YOU for reading! … Editor Roberta Goodwin
(Comments are closed)

Website Disclaimer Notice… About Using This Website

Nothing on this website should be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging hereby excludes all representations and warranties whatsoever (whether implied by law or otherwise) relating to the content and use of this site. Information is provided on this site to be accessed and used by the individuals as they see fit and they must do their own due diligence as to the potential value or lack thereof.

“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm”
~Winston Churchill

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News: Area Senior Volunteers

Congratulations! The 2012 Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony on July 12, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers was a remarkable affair, recognizing eight “stalwart” county people for their work in 2011. Dorothy Edwards and Howard Hildreth were named Co-Volunteers of the Year and received plaques. The other nominees received certificates: Marguerite Johnson, Melina Cherling, Martha Cover, Patti Taylor-Welch, Jeanette Lambert, Jean Geritz, and Dorothy Brown.  Liz Bass, County Supervisor and liaison to the Commission, also stepped in to present Ms. Edwards with her plaque and to offer words of praise.  Cathie Peacock, commissioner with Tuolumne County Commission on Aging and chair of the Senior Volunteer of the Year committee had this to say: “It was a pleasure to see all the people who came to support and acknowledge the nominees and winners.  The nominees were warmly acknowledged, greatly appreciated for their work, and really represented a cross section of all the fine deeds that are done daily in our county.  There were close to 100 people in attendance, much lingering and picture taking after the awards were presented, and many [people] chatting with all the nominees and complimenting their selfless service.”

Another outstanding volunteer, Gerald Kahl, a retired attorney who was with the Public Defender’s office for many years (and former Tuolumne County Commission on Aging commissioner) is helping out with Legal Advocacy for Seniors, funded by Catholic Charities, Area 12, and other groups.  Jerry, as he is known, was recently recognized for his work in an article by Lenore Rutherford in the Union Democrat.  If you need help with your legal issues, are 60 or over, and you qualify, Legal Advocacy for Seniors is open for business without an appointment between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays, 1 and 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, at the Catholic Charities office at 14855 Mono Way, Suite 103, Sonora.  Services are also available at the TuolumneCountySeniorCenter on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and noon.  The Center is at 540 Greenley Road, Sonora. Call them at: 209.588.1597

Jots & Thoughts…
by Roberta Goodwin

Matthew Personius, MD, a local physician (head coach of the water polo programs at Sonora High School), was recently featured in the July 16 “Ask a Doctor” section of the UD.  Dr.  Personius wrote a piece called “Aging with Grace,” which offered up some interesting bits of information. Among other things, he maintains that although there are “normal signs of aging,” not everyone ages in the same way.  Vision, declining muscle mass, “thinning of cortical bone” (also known as bone loss), rising blood pressure (hypertension) and prostate enlargement in men, are common attributes affected by the aging process.  Dr. Personius, a family practice physician, specializes in care for the elderly with his practice “Sierra Housecalls Medical group Inc.”  A remarkable doctor, he recognizes the difficulty for some seniors in getting themselves to an office appointment, so as the name implies, he makes house calls to homebound seniors.  We’re lucky to have him in this rural area.

Save the dates!!!!

2012 Centenarian Awards ~The 2012 Centenarian Awards ceremony is scheduled for October 24, 11AM – 12PM, Tuolumne County Senior Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our community’s Centenarian Society members and meet the County’s newest residents reaching the 100 years young milestone.

“Legal Matters” updated July, 2012

Here are some of the matters affecting seniors that the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging is currently following and concerned with (but NOT necessarily endorsing – see our disclaimer at the bottom of our blog).

1. Silver Alert SB 38: proposed by Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose) – was recently passed… Almost 600,000 individuals in California have Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, that number will grow to more than 1.1 million by 2030, and 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer’s will wander away from their homes or care facilities at some point. People with Alzheimer’s often lose their cognitive ability to remember when to eat and drink or protect themselves from extreme weather. Silver Alert would be similar to the successful Amber Alert program for children. More on it from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Alert… A Silver Alert is a public notification system in the United   States to broadcast information about missing persons – especially seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other mental disabilities – in order to aid in their return. Silver Alerts use a wide array of media outlets—such as commercial radio stations, television stations, and cable TV—to broadcast information about missing persons. Silver Alerts also use variable-message signs on roadways to alert motorists to be on the lookout for missing seniors.

2. SB 810: as per – http://www.democraticunderground.com/101440504 As of Tuesday Jan 31, 2012 “Today SB 810, “Medicare for All” single payer legislation, was killed on the California Senate Floor. More about the bill from this website: http://californiaonecare.org/learn-more/sb-810/sb-810-overview

3. AB 1525: Financial Elder Abuse: Money Transmitters sponsored by Assembly member Michael Allen)… This bill requires that money wire transfer services be included in the definition of mandatory reporters of suspected financial elder abuse.

4. AB 2374: sponsored by Assembly member Roger Hernandez. Prohibits a consumer credit card reporting agency from charging a person who is 65 years old or older a fee when placing a security freeze on his or her credit report.

5. AB 1648: Brownley: The California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, ftp://leginfo.public.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/sen/sb_1601-1650/sb_1648_cfa_20040618_120723_asm_comm.html

Did YOU Know?… For your better living…

1. “Clean Up Day Coupon Program” ~ Are you struggling with disposal issues of large items, or multiple bags of trash and items that need to go to the dump?  I called Waste Management.  I have an old bench on my deck that’s too heavy and too broken down to be useful to someone else, or perhaps set out on my street with a “FREE!” sign.  They said if one has “curbside service” (read: pays a monthly fee) to come on in to the office on Camage and pick up “coupons”… Oh! So I did that and yippee!  I can  haul – or have someone else – this bench to the transfer station and there will be no charge!  Yay.   Goodbye, bench.

2. Area 12 Agency on Aging ~This agency’s helpful staff provides services to more than 11,000 seniors in five counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne. Services include information and assistance, caregiver support, nutrition, fitness, Medicare counseling and much more. The agency is headquartered in Sonora, at 19074 Standard Rd. Contact Area 12 at (209) 532-6272 or (800) 510-2020, www.area12.org … T’is the Season: one of Area 12’s season appropriate services is help with fire clearance.  Call 532-6272 and ask about their “Chore” program, or ask them in general how they can help you with your other living challenges.

3. PG&E’s low-income program ~ PG&E has a low-income program called “The Energy Savings Assistance Program” and they partner locally with Sears to bring new refrigerators to folks. According to an installer I talked to named “Mike” … he and his crew make about 10 stops a day in the county to bring free brand-new refrigerators. His clients run to – he estimates – about 70% seniors. As part of the program, the crew even picks up their old refrigerators (and refurbishes/recycles them). The service area extends from Mi-Wuk to Riverbank, more or less, as he explained. Other features of the program include what they term “Improvements to your house, apartment or mobile home including compact fluorescent lights, caulking, showerheads, minor home repair and more.” To find out more about the program and whether you’re eligible, or if someone you KNOW is eligible, go to: http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram call or call 800-989-9744.

4. Senior Services Directory ~ Pick up this handy 24-page guide to local senior services at the sheriff’s Community Service Unit office in The Junction Shopping Center. Published by the nonprofit Senior Resource Service (SRS), it includes contact information for everything from health care and housing to transportation and emergency services – “anything a senior might need,” says Judy Finley, SRS president. A complete version of the directory (61 pages) is available online at the Friends and Neighbors website, http://www.tcfan.net, under the home-page link titled “Resources.”

5. “REACH” or “Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help” is a program provided by PG&E and administered by the Salvation Army to help folks with delinquent electricity bills. This from Catherine Driver: “We are working with our local Salvation Army to provide help to elders in need of assistance with their PG&E bills. We will be helping those 62 and over while Salvation Army will work with those under 62. (We will help in the case of a participant in the OE program, regardless of age.) Our part, like the Salvation Army’s, is to assist in filling out the needed paperwork and making sure all appropriate paperwork is included (i.e. PG&E bills, proof of age, etc.). We then call PG&E to make the ‘pledge’ and then fax the paperwork to Salvation Army inSan Francisco. We can be reached at 532-7632 and Salvation Army can be reached at 588-1986. Catherine Driver, Engagement Coordinator, Older Adult Outreach &Engagement Program.” 7. Minor Home Repair ~ Area 12 Agency on Aging offers a program for eligible county seniors “designed to assist seniors over 60 who have home repair problems they cannot resolve which threaten health & safety.” To be eligible, you must: be 60 years of age or older; reside in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties; live in your own home. Typical repairs include… (among others) hard to turn faucets; leaky toilets; door knob repair; install grab bars; repair doors and windows; ramp repair. Call Area 12 Today for more information on how you can arrange for needed home repairs 209-532-6272… Or go to: http://www.area12.org/support.aspx. Also, you can view their website at: http://www.area12.org/

In future, we will blog with even more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned! And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see!We actively solicit your comments. You may contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email at aging2010@gmail.com

To go to: Area 12 Agency on Aging’s website, go here: http://www.area12.org/

Little House website, go here: http://thelittlehouse.org

Friends and Neighbors website go here:http://seniorfan.com

THANK YOU for reading our blog! … Editor Roberta Goodwin (Comments are closed)

Website Disclaimer Notice… About Using This Website

Nothing on this website should be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging hereby excludes all representations and warranties whatsoever (whether implied by law or otherwise) relating to the content and use of this site. Information is provided on this site to be accessed and used by the individuals as they see fit and they must do their own due diligence as to the potential value or lack thereof.

Procrastination is the thief of time. ~ Edward Young, English poet (1681 – 1765)

°° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° 

‘Tis FIRE season!
by Roberta Goodwin
plus excerpts from “IN THE LINE OF FIRE” (by Chris Bateman in FAN)

Fire season is upon us.  “What’s on [my] mind?” my Facebook space asks… well, today it’s lots of things as usual, but mainly the safety of my (ex-) sister and brother-in-law who live in the area in Colorado of the big wildfire. She just updated me by email, saying they had to evacuate their office, but they are still in their house… and they are OK, for now anyway.  Funny how something like that rearranges one’s priorities.  The latest headlines scream “More Than 32,000 Ordered To Flee Colo. Wildfire” … My mind goes to all of us here, in the same kind of terrain.
The Union Democrat keeps reminding us that we must be ever-vigilant in our mountain ever so beautifully-treed communities, and rightly so.  Sitting in my doctor’s office, I picked up the latest copy of Friends and Neighbors (FAN) in which Chris Bateman, late of the UD, and now writing here and there in his retirement.  Chris is the hubby of Suzy, the magazine’s editor, and he wrote the cover piece “IN THE LINE OF FIRE” for the summer 2012 issue.  Lots of good stuff.  Mainly: a checklist I find extremely clear-cut and precise, especially for seniors.  If you’re a disabled senior, as I am, there’s more than enough info to get ME organized and ready, should the unthinkable happen.  Chris’ piece is rather long, so it’s probably better if you pick up the summer issue – unless you get it delivered – where you can, and read it that way for the complete copy.  But here’s a synopsis for your convenience until you can get the complete one.

Survival tips (no guarantees, but if you have no other choice, they may help you survive the moment)…
Are you…

1. Outside on foot?: Wear long pants/long-sleeved shirt/gloves and heavy boots/shoes. Cover your mouth with a DRY rag (not wet) and find a ditch or depression. Lie face down and wait for the flames to pass.
2. Inside your home?: Close all windows/doors/drapes.  Turn your lights on for firefighters to see you. Stay away from walls, in a room with an outside exit. (Temps outside are much higher.)  Wait for the fire to pass then leave and look for shelter; await help.
3. In a vehicle?:  If you can, choose and older model car, as they have fewer combustibles.  Park in a cleared, flat area.  Close all windows and vents.  Cover yourself.  Lie on the floor till flames pass.

Your emergency plan:
Do your defensible space due diligence by clearing your property: remove brush, weeds, dead or downed trees within 100 feet of your home.  Note, the Amador Fire Safe Council (Cathy Koos-Breazeal 295-6200) helps low-income/disabled seniors in counties of Tuolumneand Calaveras with this kind of property clearance chore.

1. Be ready ahead of time.
   a. Arrange for family meeting place outside the fire area.
   b. Map two possible escape routes to a location where you can stay until the evacuation orders are lifted.
   c. Arrange for your pets: set aside carriers/food/water/meds/vaccination records. (note: the Red Cross shelters do not allow animals).
   d. Assemble a kit: food, water, meds, first-aid kit, portable radio with batteries, flashlight, change(s) of clothes and copies of any important documents.
2. After the first evacuation advisory:
   a. Back your car into your driveway and load it.
   b. Connect hoses to spigots for use by firefighters.
   c. Place a ladder at the corner of your house for firefighter access to roof.
   d. Don’t leave your sprinklers on, it reduces water pressure.
   e. Shut all windows and doors but don’t lock them.
   f. Move flammable furniture to the center of rooms, way from windows/doors.
   g. Keep your pets close by so you can pick them up if you need to right away.
3. Warning systems:
   a. Address signs.  Make sure your address is clearly seen.  Sheriff deputies and others will go door to door to alert you.
   b. Notifications via reverse 911 calls
   c. Use your portable radios, tuned to a local station.
   c. Go to Facebook & Twitter, Cal Fire will have updates.
4. IF YOU CAN’T DRIVE OR HAVE OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS (mobility issues, need electricity for oxygen, have run out of water, don’t have anyone to call?), here’s who to call for help.
   a.  The Office of Emergency Services (OES) 209-533-5511 ext 4 (or after hours 209-533-5815)
   b. The Fire Dept (911 or 209-533-9100)
   c. The Sheriff’s office (209-533-5815)
5. AHEAD of TIME: Tracie Riggs, the Director of Emergency Services, recommends that seniors and others with medical problems or limited mobility let people know where they live and what help they might need by handing out their phone numbers, home and cell.
   Here’s another idea.  I just signed up for Nixle a reverse 911 service now being trialed in Calaveras county, that supplies up-to-date “…emergency alerts … if you want to try it out, go to http://www.nixle.com/.  I will try to remember to let y’all know how it works, but hopefully without a fire around me!

Save the dates!!!! Presented by the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging

2012 Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards ~ The Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony is scheduled for July 12, 11AM – 12PM, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 4^th floor, 2 Green St., Sonora. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor or community’s senior volunteers.

2012 Centenarian Awards ~ The 2012 Centenarian Awards ceremony is scheduled for October 3, 11AM – 12PM, Tuolumne County Senior Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our community’s Centenarian Society members and meet the County’s newest residents reaching the 100 years young milestone.

Jots & Thoughts By Roberta Goodwin…

√ 2012 Senior Expo ~ The 3^rdAnnual Senior Expo is over.  500 some-odd attendees enjoyed this information packed day! The ever-so-talented Senior Idol, Mr. Les Olsen, is crowned, the 55+ booth holders are packed up, the sponsors are – gratefully and extensively – thanked. Some of the people and volunteers who helped prepare for, and then worked the event are on vacation, and the rest have breathed a sigh of relief, all having gone through the preparations fairly non-stop through the last few months. Next year’s Expo will be in the planning stages soon!  Follow http://www.seniorfair.com for developments.

√ from Roberta Goodwin ~ Are you feeling as though your driving skills, reaction times, etc. are diminishing?  Maybe your legs are reacting more slowly than you’d like, making you think you’re a hazard on the road.  Or maybe it’s your reflexes?  Maybe you’ve got another condition or problem.  Are you dreading the day when you cannot drive your own car to appointments, shopping, visiting the family, and the like? Perhaps you will want to consider installing so-called “hand controls” for your car, as I am.  But it’s possible you don’t have a clue how to get this process started or who to contact.  Yours truly is the resident “disabled” commissioner, and I am facing that possibility, having a little bit of a tougher time these days moving my right leg/foot between the gas pedal and the brake as quickly as I’d like.  It understandably makes me nervous, so I’m checking out the possibility of installing hand controls for MY car.  I had the “driving evaluation” the other day from a Sacramento driving school, and I was able to practice with the controls to see what it’s like.  It’s both harder and easier than I thought.  I will keep you posted as I go through this process. Tip: it’s expensive, but what does independence cost?

√ MOTORIZED SCOOTER UPDATE, from Roberta Goodwin ~ Our previous post related the situation on their seemingly forever broken motorized cart issue. If you remember, I both called and wrote a letter to the district manager inModesto. In it, I suggested that the Sonora store was probably losing a good deal of money from the area’s disabled seniors who need to use it to get to the pharmacy and shop in their store. I recently got a call back from the District Manager who relayed the message that a new cart was on its way. One for our side, hey?

√ Computer training classes ~ are available locally for seniors and are provided by various local agencies, locations, trainers. See our tab this site.  In addition, Mymotherlode.com and the SeniorCenter have classes sometimes, call them for details. The opportunities provided by using a computer and the internet are numerous: One can pay bills online, saving postage and trips to the post office; using email and Facebook can help with isolation and loneliness; learning and using a computer’s various programs “exercises” the mind, and affords other advantages to exercising the brain. As far as cost goes, computers cost far less than just a few years ago, and donated computers are available from certain local agencies.  As well, keep in mind that when a family member or friend upgrades their computer, they might be willing to part with their old one, frequently still in good running order.

√ Scam report from AARP Outreach & Service a piece entitled “Affinity Fraud”… and how to avoid being a victim of these predators.  See: http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-01-2009/affinity_fraud.html

“Legal Matters” updated as of June 23, 2012

Here are some of the matters affecting seniors that the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging is currently following and concerned with (but NOT necessarily endorsing – see our disclaimer at the bottom of our blog).

1. Silver Alert SB 38: proposed by Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose) – was recently passed… Almost 600,000 individuals in California have Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, that number will grow to more than 1.1 million by 2030, and 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer’s will wander away from their homes or care facilities at some point. People with Alzheimer’s often lose their cognitive ability to remember when to eat and drink or protect themselves from extreme weather. Silver Alert would be similar to the successful Amber Alert program for children. More on it from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Alert… A Silver Alert is a public notification system in the United   States to broadcast information about missing persons – especially seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other mental disabilities – in order to aid in their return. Silver Alerts use a wide array of media outlets—such as commercial radio stations, television stations, and cable TV—to broadcast information about missing persons. Silver Alerts also use variable-message signs on roadways to alert motorists to be on the lookout for missing seniors.

2. SB 810: as per – http://www.democraticunderground.com/101440504 As of Tuesday Jan 31, 2012 “Today SB 810, “Medicare for All” single payer legislation, was killed on the California Senate Floor. More about the bill from this website: http://californiaonecare.org/learn-more/sb-810/sb-810-overview

3. AB 1525: Financial Elder Abuse: Money Transmitters sponsored by Assembly member Michael Allen)… This bill requires that money wire transfer services be included in the definition of mandatory reporters of suspected financial elder abuse.

4. AB 2374: sponsored by Assembly member Roger Hernandez. Prohibits a consumer credit card reporting agency from charging a person who is 65 years old or older a fee when placing a security freeze on his or her credit report.

5. AB 1648: Brownley: The California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, ftp://leginfo.public.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/sen/sb_1601-1650/sb_1648_cfa_20040618_120723_asm_comm.html

Did YOU Know?

For your better living…

1. Revised: “Clean Up Day Coupon Program” ~ Are you struggling with disposal issues of large items, or multiple bags of trash and items that need to go to the dump?  In my former life living in the bay area, BFI had a two times a year program where they’d come by and pick up stuff, free.  I called WM here and was told they don’t have anything like that, but THEN… I saw something in the UD paper on a local program called “Clean Up Day Coupon Program” for disposal of “big items” from Waste Management, and I called them.  I have an old bench on my deck that needs to go, but it’s heavy and too broken down to be useful to someone else, or perhaps set out on my street with a “FREE!” sign.  They said if one has “curbside service” (read: pays a monthly fee) to come on in to the office on Camage and pick up “coupons”… Oh! So I did that and yippee!  I can  haul – or have someone else – this bench to the transfer station and no charge!  Yay.  Almost the same thing.   Goodbye, bench.

2. Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA)  ~ The Commission recently heard a presentation from Yvonne Penland and Valerie Farley, which was described as “informative and engaging.”  Unfortunately I had a car problem that day and missed it. As soon as I compile some feedback, I will share it with you here.

3. Area 12 Agency on Aging ~This agency’s helpful staff provides services to more than 11,000 seniors in five counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne. Services include information and assistance, caregiver support, nutrition, fitness, Medicare counseling and much more. The agency is headquartered in Sonora, at 19074 Standard Rd. Contact Area 12 at (209) 532-6272 or (800) 510-2020, www.area12.org … T’is the Season: one of Area 12’s season appropriate services is help with fire clearance.  Call 532-6272 and ask about their “Chore” program, or ask them in general how they can help you with your other living challenges.

4. PG&E’s low-income program ~ PG&E has a low-income program called “The Energy Savings Assistance Program” and they partner locally with Sears to bring new refrigerators to folks. According to an installer I talked to named “Mike” … he and his crew make about 10 stops a day in the county to bring free brand-new refrigerators. His clients run to – he estimates – about 70% seniors. As part of the program, the crew even picks up their old refrigerators (and refurbishes/recycles them). The service area extends from Mi-Wuk to Riverbank, more or less, as he explained. Other features of the program include what they term “Improvements to your house, apartment or mobile home including compact fluorescent lights, caulking, showerheads, minor home repair and more.” To find out more about the program and whether you’re eligible, or if someone you KNOW is eligible, go to: http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram call or call 800-989-9744.

5. Senior Services Directory ~ Pick up this handy 24-page guide to local senior services at the sheriff’s Community Service Unit office in The Junction Shopping Center. Published by the nonprofit Senior Resource Service (SRS), it includes contact information for everything from health care and housing to transportation and emergency services – “anything a senior might need,” says Judy Finley, SRS president. A complete version of the directory (61 pages) is available online at the Friends and Neighbors website, http://www.tcfan.net, under the home-page link titled “Resources.”

6. “REACH” or “Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help” is a program provided by PG&E and administered by the Salvation Army to help folks with delinquent electricity bills. This from Catherine Driver: “We are working with our local Salvation Army to provide help to elders in need of assistance with their PG&E bills. We will be helping those 62 and over while Salvation Army will work with those under 62. (We will help in the case of a participant in the OE program, regardless of age.) Our part, like the Salvation Army’s, is to assist in filling out the needed paperwork and making sure all appropriate paperwork is included (i.e. PG&E bills, proof of age, etc.). We then call PG&E to make the ‘pledge’ and then fax the paperwork to Salvation Army inSan Francisco. We can be reached at 532-7632 and Salvation Army can be reached at 588-1986. Catherine Driver, Engagement Coordinator, Older Adult Outreach &Engagement Program.” 7. Minor Home Repair ~ Area 12 Agency on Aging offers a program for eligible county seniors “designed to assist seniors over 60 who have home repair problems they cannot resolve which threaten health & safety.” To be eligible, you must: be 60 years of age or older; reside in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties; live in your own home. Typical repairs include… (among others) hard to turn faucets; leaky toilets; door knob repair; install grab bars; repair doors and windows; ramp repair. Call Area 12 Today for more information on how you can arrange for needed home repairs 209-532-6272… Or go to: http://www.area12.org/support.aspx. Also, you can view their website at: http://www.area12.org/

In future, we will blog with even more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned! And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see! We actively solicit your comments. You may contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email at aging2010@gmail.com

To go to:
Area 12 Agency on Aging’s website, go here: http://www.area12.org/
Little House website, go here: http://thelittlehouse.org
Friends and Neighbors website go here: http://seniorfan.com

THANK YOU for reading our blog! Editor Roberta Goodwin
(Comments are closed)

Website Disclaimer Notice… About Using This Website

Nothing on this website should be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging hereby excludes all representations and warranties whatsoever (whether implied by law or otherwise) relating to the content and use of this site. Information is provided on this site to be accessed and used by the individuals as they see fit and they must do their own due diligence as to the potential value or lack thereof.

“We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.” ~ Benjamin Franklin, 1706–1790

°° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° °° 

Save the dates!!!! Presented by the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging

2012 Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards ~ The Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony is scheduled for July 12, 11AM – 12PM, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 4^th floor, 2 Green St., Sonora. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor or community’s senior volunteers.

2012 Centenarian Awards ~ The 2012 Centenarian Awards ceremony is scheduled for October 3, 11AM – 12PM, Tuolumne County Senior Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our community’s Centenarian Society members and meet the County’s newest residents reaching the 100 years young milestone.

Jots & Thoughts By Roberta Goodwin…

√ 2012 Senior Expo ~ The 3^rdAnnual Senior Expo is over.  500 some-odd attendees enjoyed this information packed day! The ever-so-talented Senior Idol, Mr. Les Olsen, is crowned, the 55+ booth holders are packed up, the sponsors are – gratefully and extensively – thanked. Some of the people and volunteers who helped prepare for, and then worked the event are on vacation, and the rest have breathed a sigh of relief, all having gone through the preparations fairly non-stop through the last few months. Next year’s Expo will be in the planning stages soon!  Follow http://www.seniorfair.com for developments.

√ from Roberta Goodwin ~ Are you feeling as though your driving skills, reaction times, etc. are diminishing?  Maybe your legs are reacting more slowly than you’d like, making you think you’re a hazard on the road.  Or maybe it’s your reflexes?  Maybe you’ve got another condition or problem.  Are you dreading the day when you cannot drive your own car to appointments, shopping, visiting the family, and the like? Perhaps you will want to consider installing so-called “hand controls” for your car, as I am.  But it’s possible you don’t have a clue how to get this process started or who to contact.  Yours truly is the resident “disabled” commissioner, and I am facing that possibility, having a little bit of a tougher time these days moving my right leg/foot between the gas pedal and the brake as quickly as I’d like.  It understandably makes me nervous, so I’m checking out the possibility of installing hand controls for MY car.  I had the “driving evaluation” the other day from a Sacramento driving school, and I was able to practice with the controls to see what it’s like.  It’s both harder and easier than I thought.  I will keep you posted as I go through this process. Tip: it’s expensive, but what does independence cost?

√ MOTORIZED SCOOTER UPDATE, from Roberta Goodwin ~ Our previous post related the situation on their seemingly forever broken motorized cart issue. If you remember, I both called and wrote a letter to the district manager inModesto. In it, I suggested that the Sonora store was probably losing a good deal of money from the area’s disabled seniors who need to use it to get to the pharmacy and shop in their store. I recently got a call back from the District Manager who relayed the message that a new cart was on its way. One for our side, hey?

√ Computer training classes ~ are available locally for seniors and are provided by various local agencies, locations, trainers. See our tab this site.  In addition, Mymotherlode.com and the SeniorCenter have classes sometimes, call them for details.
The opportunities provided by using a computer and the internet are numerous: One can pay bills online, saving postage and trips to the post office; using email and Facebook can help with isolation and loneliness; learning and using a computer’s various programs “exercises” the mind, and affords other advantages to exercising the brain. As far as cost goes, computers cost far less than just a few years ago, and donated computers are available from certain local agencies.  As well, keep in mind that when a family member or friend upgrades their computer, they might be willing to part with their old one, frequently still in good running order.

√ Scam report from AARP Outreach & Service a piece entitled “Affinity Fraud”… and how to avoid being a victim of these predators.  See: http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-01-2009/affinity_fraud.html

“Legal Matters” updated as of June 23, 2012

Here are some of the matters affecting seniors that the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging is currently following and concerned with (but NOT necessarily endorsing – see our disclaimer at the bottom of our blog).

1. Silver Alert SB 38: proposed by Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose) – was recently passed… Almost 600,000 individuals in California have Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, that number will grow to more than 1.1 million by 2030, and 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer’s will wander away from their homes or care facilities at some point. People with Alzheimer’s often lose their cognitive ability to remember when to eat and drink or protect themselves from extreme weather. Silver Alert would be similar to the successful Amber Alert program for children. More on it from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Alert… A Silver Alert is a public notification system in the United   States to broadcast information about missing persons – especially seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other mental disabilities – in order to aid in their return. Silver Alerts use a wide array of media outlets—such as commercial radio stations, television stations, and cable TV—to broadcast information about missing persons. Silver Alerts also use variable-message signs on roadways to alert motorists to be on the lookout for missing seniors.

2. SB 810: as per – http://www.democraticunderground.com/101440504 As of Tuesday Jan 31, 2012 “Today SB 810, “Medicare for All” single payer legislation, was killed on the California Senate Floor. More about the bill from this website: http://californiaonecare.org/learn-more/sb-810/sb-810-overview

3. AB 1525: Financial Elder Abuse: Money Transmitters sponsored by Assembly member Michael Allen)… This bill requires that money wire transfer services be included in the definition of mandatory reporters of suspected financial elder abuse.

4. AB 2374: sponsored by Assembly member Roger Hernandez. Prohibits a consumer credit card reporting agency from charging a person who is 65 years old or older a fee when placing a security freeze on his or her credit report.

5. AB 1648: Brownley: The California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, ftp://leginfo.public.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/sen/sb_1601-1650/sb_1648_cfa_20040618_120723_asm_comm.html

Did YOU Know?

For your better living…

1. “Clean Up Day Coupon Program” ~ Are you struggling with disposal issues of large items, or multiple bags of trash and items that need to go to the dump?  In my former life living in the bay area, BFI had a two times a year program where they’d come by and pick up stuff, free.  I called WM here and was told they don’t have anything like that, but THEN… I saw something in the UD paper on a local program called “Clean Up Day Coupon Program” for disposal of “big items” from Waste Management, and I called them.  I have an old bench on my deck that needs to go, but it’s heavy and too broken down to be useful to someone else, or perhaps set out on my street with a “FREE!” sign.  They said if one has “curbside service” (read: pays a monthly fee) to come on in to the office on Camage and pick up “coupons”… Oh! Yippee!  Same thing.  And what a help this would be. Goodbye, bench.

2. Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA)  ~ The Commission recently heard a presentation from Yvonne Penland and Valerie Farley, which was described as “informative and engaging.”  Unfortunately I had a car problem that day and missed it. As soon as I compile some feedback, I will share it with you here.

3. Area 12 Agency on Aging ~This agency’s helpful staff provides services to more than 11,000 seniors in five counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne. Services include information and assistance, caregiver support, nutrition, fitness, Medicare counseling and much more. The agency is headquartered in Sonora, at 19074 Standard Rd. Contact Area 12 at (209) 532-6272 or (800) 510-2020, www.area12.org … T’is the Season: one of Area 12’s season appropriate services is help with fire clearance.  Call 532-6272 and ask about their “Chore” program, or ask them in general how they can help you with your other living challenges.

4. PG&E’s low-income program ~ PG&E has a low-income program called “The Energy Savings Assistance Program” and they partner locally with Sears to bring new refrigerators to folks. According to an installer I talked to named “Mike” … he and his crew make about 10 stops a day in the county to bring free brand-new refrigerators. His clients run to – he estimates – about 70% seniors. As part of the program, the crew even picks up their old refrigerators (and refurbishes/recycles them). The service area extends from Mi-Wuk to Riverbank, more or less, as he explained. Other features of the program include what they term “Improvements to your house, apartment or mobile home including compact fluorescent lights, caulking, showerheads, minor home repair and more.” To find out more about the program and whether you’re eligible, or if someone you KNOW is eligible, go to: http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram call or call 800-989-9744.

5. Senior Services Directory ~ Pick up this handy 24-page guide to local senior services at the sheriff’s Community Service Unit office in The Junction Shopping Center. Published by the nonprofit Senior Resource Service (SRS), it includes contact information for everything from health care and housing to transportation and emergency services – “anything a senior might need,” says Judy Finley, SRS president. A complete version of the directory (61 pages) is available online at the Friends and Neighbors website, http://www.tcfan.net, under the home-page link titled “Resources.”

6. “REACH” or “Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help” is a program provided by PG&E and administered by the Salvation Army to help folks with delinquent electricity bills. This from Catherine Driver: “We are working with our local Salvation Army to provide help to elders in need of assistance with their PG&E bills. We will be helping those 62 and over while Salvation Army will work with those under 62. (We will help in the case of a participant in the OE program, regardless of age.) Our part, like the Salvation Army’s, is to assist in filling out the needed paperwork and making sure all appropriate paperwork is included (i.e. PG&E bills, proof of age, etc.). We then call PG&E to make the ‘pledge’ and then fax the paperwork to Salvation Army inSan Francisco. We can be reached at 532-7632 and Salvation Army can be reached at 588-1986. Catherine Driver, Engagement Coordinator, Older Adult Outreach &Engagement Program.”
7. Minor Home Repair ~ Area 12 Agency on Aging offers a program for eligible county seniors “designed to assist seniors over 60 who have home repair problems they cannot resolve which threaten health & safety.” To be eligible, you must: be 60 years of age or older; reside in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties; live in your own home. Typical repairs include… (among others) hard to turn faucets; leaky toilets; door knob repair; install grab bars; repair doors and windows; ramp repair. Call Area 12 Today for more information on how you can arrange for needed home repairs 209-532-6272… Or go to: http://www.area12.org/support.aspx. Also, you can view their website at: http://www.area12.org/

In future, we will blog with even more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned! And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see! We actively solicit your comments. You may contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email at aging2010@gmail.com

To go to: Area 12 Agency on Aging’s website, go here: http://www.area12.org/ Little House website, go here: http://thelittlehouse.org Friends and Neighbors website go here: http://seniorfan.com

THANK YOU for reading our blog! Editor Roberta Goodwin

Website Disclaimer Notice… About Using This Website

Nothing on this website should be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging hereby excludes all representations and warranties whatsoever (whether implied by law or otherwise) relating to the content and use of this site. Information is provided on this site to be accessed and used by the individuals as they see fit and they must do their own due diligence as to the potential value or lack thereof.

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“Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.” ~ Unknown

Jots & Thoughts
by Roberta Goodwin…

Save the dates!!!!… All events Presented by the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging

2012 SENIOR EXPO~ The 3rd Annual Senior Expo is scheduled for June 13, 9AM – 2PM, Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora.
This year’s theme is: Explore, Learn, Connect. The Expo features over 50 participants representing businesses, agencies and organizations from across the region providing information about: Finance, Insurance, Legal, Caregiver Options, and social organizations. The stage will have entertainment all day with the 2012 Senior Idol contest being the main event. Food is available for purchase.

NEW! for 2012 ~
1. The Lions Eyemobile will be there from 8AM to 11AM for eye exams and hearing aid checks.
The focus of the event is to provide information and services to Seniors, Baby Boomers, Caregivers and Families. This event is both fun and informative – come and see for yourself.
2.Transportation available, call: 532-0404.

Don’t miss this information packed day! For more information go to: www.seniorfair.com

2012 SENIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS ~ The SENIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS ceremony is scheduled for July 12, 11AM – 12PM, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 4th floor, 2 Green St., Sonora. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor or community’s senior volunteers.

2012 CENTENARIAN AWARDS ~ The 2012 CENTENARIAN AWARDS ceremony is scheduled for October 3, 11AM – 12PM,TuolumneCountySeniorCenter. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our community’s Centenarian Society members and meet the County’s newest residents reaching the 100 years young milestone.

And more….

√ A memorial service for our former Chairperson Nick Cretan was held at 3 pm, May 27 at the Adventist Church in Sonora. WE MISS HIM and always will.

√ Leadership Tuolumne Seniors: The celebration/awards BBQ held on May 18th was covered by Lenore Rutherford of the Union Democrat and in the Friday May 25 issue, her piece entitled “Graduates praise county’s Leadership Tuolumne Seniors” enumerated some of the comments by the participants. Samples include: From Rex Whisnand: “This program far exceeded my expectations… it was energizing, fun, educational and extremely well run.”  From Mary Freer: “I feel very blessed to have had this experience, to learn first hand about all the ways a person, seniors in particular, can get involved in helping make a difference which in turn makes a better community.”  From Ted Michaud: “This has been revitalization to my current encore career.  I have taken many lessons and potential relationships back…”

√ MOTORIZED SCOOTER UPDATE, from Roberta Goodwin: The store manager “Mitch” reports that not one, but TWO, motorized carts were delivered by CVS Corporate, and are now available for store customers.  Who says we seniors can’t get things done and buck big business?  Providing a little feedback, and pointing out how many of this county’s seniors – such as yours truly!  –  need these things to shop in their store, equals dollars going out the door if they can’t come in and shop without a cart, well, sure did the trick this time.  Needless to say, Mitch is ecstatic and so are we.

 √ Computer training classes: are available locally for seniors and are provided by various local agencies, locations, trainers.  SEE OUR NEW TAB.

√ From Roberta Goodwin: A story from a friend of mine, a neighbor of mine at my house in Baja, and currently president of a Southern Californiacar club.  “About a year ago I got a call from a woman that wanted to me to help her get her car back from a mechanic that had it six years.  I took her to the mechanic about 50 miles from here and loaded it in my trailer and took it home for her.  Since then I have been helping her get it painted and get the chrome and interior done for her. She wants it restored so she can give it to her grandson eventually.  She joined the car club and attends the meetings and of course being Italian, she always helps with the refreshments.  I tried calling her yesterday about a decision on the car several times but she wasn’t home.  She called me back later and said she was celebrating her birthday.  Now here’s the part of the story that thrills me, it was her 93^rd birthday. Can you imagine a woman joining a car club at age 92?  By the way, she purchased that car with her late husband, new in 1954 on the east coast so it has a lot of sentimental value.”

“Legal Matters” – updated as of June 1
By Luci Tyndall, commissioner, Tuolumne County Commission on Aging

Here are some of the matters affecting seniors that the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging is currently following and concerned with (but NOT necessarily endorsing – see our disclaimer at the bottom of our blog).

Here are a few of the bills to keep your eye on this year:

• SB 1047- Establishes a missing person advisory called “Silver Alert” to protect persons suffering from dementia-related conditions and who as a result, might wander away from      home.
• AB 2141 – Requires that a two-year punishment enhancement be added for identity theft from a victim aged 65  years or older.
• AB 2374 – Prohibits a consumer credit card reporting agency from charging a person who is 65 years old or older a fee placing a security freeze on his/her credit report.

And remember, Senate Concurrent Resolution 32 (SCR 32) recognizing the contributions ofCalifornia’s senior volunteers was passed in 2011. The Resolution proclaims the month of May as “Senior Volunteer Month” inCalifornia. Senior Senators worked hard in making the recognition of senior volunteerism during the month of May a permanent celebratory event.

Did YOU Know? For Your Better Living…

1. Area 12 Agency on Aging: This agency’s helpful staff provides services to more than 11,000 seniors in five counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne. Services include information and assistance, caregiver support, nutrition, fitness, Medicare counseling and much more. The agency is headquartered in Sonora, at 19074 Standard Rd. Contact Area 12 at (209) 532-6272 or (800) 510-2020, http://www.area12.org …
   ‘Tis the Season: one of Area 12’s season appropriate services is help with fire clearance. Call 532-6272 and ask about their “Chore” program, or ask them in general how they can help you with your other living challenges.
2. Lifeline: Lenore Rutherford of the Union Democrat, always conscious and writing about of senior living issues, had a May 21 piece in the UD entitled “Ambulance drivers urge lifeline users to keep in touch”.  In it, she reminds Lifeline users that it’s important to update your vacation plans or “away from home” plans.  When you go away and there’s no-one available to receive the monthly courtesy calls, it may initiate an unnecessary call to your house.  In the article, which quotes Joe Malin of Tuolumne County Ambulance, his company – or any designated “responder” – needs a “delegated” person (family members, friends, or neighbors) to take calls for them while the customer is away.  Lifeline users can easily notify Lifeline by pressing “their Lifeline buttons and telling the person who answers they will be gone and for how long.”  If the Lifeline user is a client of Sonora Oxygen and Medical Supply, the article says, it’s a good idea to notify them as well. 
3. PG&E’s low-income program: PG&E has a low-income program called “The Energy Savings Assistance Program” and they partner locally with Sears to bring new refrigerators to folks. According to an installer I talked to named “Mike” … he and his crew make about 10 stops a day in the county to bring free brand-new refrigerators. His clients run to – he estimates – about 70% seniors. As part of the program, the crew even picks up their old refrigerators (and refurbishes/recycles them). The service area extends from Mi-Wuk to Riverbank, more or less, as he explained. Other features of the program include what they term “Improvements to your house, apartment or mobile home including compact fluorescent lights, caulking, showerheads, minor home repair and more.” To find out more about the program and whether you’re eligible, or if someone you KNOW is eligible, go to: http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram or call 800-989-9744.
4. Senior Services Directory: Pick up this handy 24-page guide to local senior services at the sheriff’s Community Service Unit office in The Junction Shopping Center. Published by the nonprofit Senior Resource Service (SRS), it includes contact information for everything from health care and housing to transportation and emergency services – “anything a senior might need,” says Judy Finley, SRS president. A complete version of the directory (61 pages) is available online at the Friends and Neighbors website, www.tcfan.net under the home-page link titled “Resources.”
5. “REACH” or “Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help” is a program provided by PG&E and administered by the Salvation Army to help folks with delinquent electricity bills.
   This from Catherine Driver: “We are working with our local Salvation Army to provide help to elders in need of assistance with their PG&E bills. We will be helping those 62 and over while Salvation Army will work with those under 62. (We will help in the case of a participant in the OE program, regardless of age.) Our part, like the Salvation Army’s, is to assist in filling out the needed paperwork and making sure all appropriate paperwork is included (i.e. PG&E bills, proof of age, etc.). We then call PG&E to make the ‘pledge’ and then fax the paperwork to Salvation Army inSan Francisco. We can be reached at 532-7632 and Salvation Army can be reached at 588-1986. Catherine Driver, Engagement Coordinator, Older Adult Outreach & Engagement Program.”
6. Minor Home Repair: Area 12 Agency on Aging offers a program for eligible county seniors “designed to assist seniors over 60 who have home repair problems they cannot resolve which threaten health & safety.” To be eligible, you must: be 60 years of age or older; reside in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties; live in your own home. Typical repairs include… (among others) hard to turn faucets; leaky toilets; door knob repair; install grab bars; repair doors and windows; ramp repair.
   Call Area 12 Today for more information on how you can arrange for needed home repairs 209-532-6272… Or go to: http://www.area12.org/support.aspx. Also, you can view their website at: http://www.area12.org

In future, we will blog with even more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned! And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see! We actively solicit your comments. You may contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email at aging2010@gmail.com

To go to:
Area 12 Agency on Aging’s website, go here: http://www.area12.org
Little House website, go here: http://thelittlehouse.org
Friends and Neighbors website go here: http://seniorfan.com

THANK YOU for reading our blog! Editor Roberta Goodwin

Website Disclaimer Notice… About Using This Website
Nothing on this website should be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging hereby excludes all representations and warranties whatsoever (whether implied by law or otherwise) relating to the content and use of this site. Information is provided on this site to be accessed and used by the individuals as they see fit and they must do their own due diligence as to the potential value or lack thereof.

“Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life.” ~ Buddha

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Jots & Thoughts

By Roberta Goodwin…

Save the dates!!!!
All events Presented by the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging

2012 SENIOR EXPO~ The 3rd Annual Senior Expo is scheduled for June 13, 9AM – 2PM, Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora.
This year’s theme is Explore, Learn, Connect.    The Expo features over 50 participants representing businesses, agencies and organizations from across the region providing information about:  Finance, Insurance, Legal, Caregiver Options, and social organizations. The stage will have entertainment all day with the 2012 Senior Idol contest being the main event.   Food is available for purchase.
New for 2012 – the Lions Eyemobile will be there from 8AM to 11AM for eye exams and hearing aid checks.
The focus of the event is to provide information and services to Seniors, Baby Boomers, Caregivers and Families.  This event is both fun and informative – come and see for yourself. Don’t miss this information packed day! For more information go to: http://www.seniorfair.com

NEW DATE: 2012 SENIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS ~ The SENIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS ceremony is scheduled for July 12, 11AM – 12PM, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 4th floor, 2 Green St., Sonora. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor or community’s senior volunteers.

2012 CENTENARIAN AWARDS ~ The 2012 CENTENARIAN AWARDS ceremony is scheduled for October 3, 11AM – 12PM, Tuolumne County Senior Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our community’s Centenarian Society members and meet the County’s newest residents reaching the 100 years young milestone.

and more….

√ Announcing! The GRADUATION ceremony of the Inaugural Class of Leadership Tuolumne Seniors will be held Friday, May 18. For more info or to RSVP, call Patty Penwell at 532-8583. Congratulations to the participants and to the LTS committee for their fine work.

√ MOTORIZED SCOOTER UPDATE, from Roberta Goodwin:
Our previous post related the situation on their seemingly forever broken motorized cart issue. If you remember, I both called and wrote a letter to the district manager in Modesto. In it, I suggested that the Sonora store was probably losing a good deal of money from the area’s disabled seniors who need to use it to get to the pharmacy and shop in their store. I recently got a call back from the District Manager who relayed the message that a new cart was on its way. One for our side, hey?

√From Sandi Fitzpatrick, the Executive Director of the California Commission on Aging office in Sacramento: an article on ADHC Clients and the transition process, entitled “Where Do They Go Now?”… See: http://www.healthycal.org/?s=Where+Do+They+Go+Now%3F+

√ Computer training classes: are available locally for seniors and are provided by various local agencies, locations, trainers.
Last we looked, an organization called “”California CONNECTS” sponsored by ATCAA and other organizations and offered at various locations throughout the Mother Lode. The low cost classes are taught by a man named Bob Ingalls, and one “Ms. Reinecke.”.
(The Tuolumne County Commission on Aging is currently compiling a current and comprehensive list of “senior-friendly” service providers. Stay tuned.)
It is advised to check your copy of the Union Democrat for details, dates, and contact info. The opportunities provided by using a computer and the internet are numerous: A senior can pay bills online, saving postage and trips to the post office; using email and Facebook can help with isolation and loneliness; learning and using a computer’s various programs “exercises” the mind, and affords other advantages. As far as cost goes, computers cost far less than just a few years ago, and donated computers are available from certain local agencies. One would be well-advised to call around and ask. As well, keep in mind that when a family member or friend upgrades their computer, they might be willing to part with their old one, frequently still in good running order.

√ Scam report from AARP Outreach & Service a piece entitled “Affinity Fraud”… and how to avoid being a victim of these predators. See: http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-01-2009/affinity_fraud.html

“Legal Matters” ~ ~ ~ ~
Here are some of the matters affecting seniors that the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging is currently following and concerned with (but NOT necessarily endorsing – see our disclaimer at the bottom of our blog).

1. Silver Alert SB 1047: proposed by Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose) – was recently passed… Almost 600,000 individuals in California have Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, that number will grow to more than 1.1 million by 2030, and 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer’s will wander away from their homes or care facilities at some point. People with Alzheimer’s often lose their cognitive ability to remember when to eat and drink or protect themselves from extreme weather. Silver Alert would be similar to the successful Amber Alert program for children. More on it from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Alert … A Silver Alert is a public notification system in the United States to broadcast information about missing persons – especially seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other mental disabilities – in order to aid in their return. Silver Alerts use a wide array of media outlets—such as commercial radio stations, television stations, and cable TV—to broadcast information about missing persons. Silver Alerts also use variable-message signs on roadways to alert motorists to be on the lookout for missing seniors.
2. SB 810: as per – http://www.democraticunderground.com/101440504
As of Tuesday Jan 31, 2012 “Today SB 810, “Medicare for All” single payer legislation, was killed on the California Senate Floor.
More about the bill from this website: http://californiaonecare.org/learn-more/sb-810/sb-810-overview
3. AB 1525: Financial Elder Abuse: Money Transmitters sponsored by Assembly member Michael Allen)… This bill requires that money wire transfer services be included in the definition of mandatory reporters of suspected financial elder abuse.
4. AB 2374: sponsored by Assembly member Roger Hernandez. Prohibits a consumer credit card reporting agency from charging a person who is 65 years old or older a fee when placing a security freeze on his or her credit report.
5. AB 1648: Brownley: The California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, ftp://leginfo.public.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/sen/sb_1601-1650/sb_1648_cfa_20040618_120723_asm_comm.html

Did YOU Know? For your better living…

1. Area 12 Agency on Aging: This agency’s helpful staff provides services to more than 11,000 seniors in five counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne. Services include information and assistance, caregiver support, nutrition, fitness, Medicare counseling and much more. The agency is headquartered in Sonora, at 19074 Standard Rd. Contact Area 12 at (209) 532-6272 or (800) 510-2020, http://www.area12.org …
‘Tis the Season: one of Area 12’s season appropriate services is help with fire clearance. Call 532-6272 and ask about their “Chore” program, or ask them in general how they can help you with your other living challenges.

2. PG&E’s low-income program: PG&E has a low-income program called “The Energy Savings Assistance Program” and they partner locally with Sears to bring new refrigerators to folks. According to an installer I talked to named “Mike” … he and his crew make about 10 stops a day in the county to bring free brand-new refrigerators. His clients run to – he estimates – about 70% seniors. As part of the program, the crew even picks up their old refrigerators (and refurbishes/recycles them). The service area extends from Mi-Wuk to Riverbank, more or less, as he explained. Other features of the program include what they term “Improvements to your house, apartment or mobile home including compact fluorescent lights, caulking, showerheads, minor home repair and more.” To find out more about the program and whether you’re eligible, or if someone you KNOW is eligible, go to: http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram  or call 800-989-9744.

3. Senior Services Directory:  Pick up this handy 24-page guide to local senior services at the sheriff’s Community Service Unit office in The Junction Shopping Center. Published by the nonprofit Senior Resource Service (SRS), it includes contact information for everything from health care and housing to transportation and emergency services – “anything a senior might need,” says Judy Finley, SRS president. A complete version of the directory (61 pages) is available online at the Friends and Neighbors website, www.tcfan.net  under the home-page link titled “Resources.”

4. “REACH” or “Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help” is a program provided by PG&E and administered by the Salvation Army to help folks with delinquent electricity bills.
This from Catherine Driver: “We are working with our local Salvation Army to provide help to elders in need of assistance with their PG&E bills. We will be helping those 62 and over while Salvation Army will work with those under 62. (We will help in the case of a participant in the OE program, regardless of age.) Our part, like the Salvation Army’s, is to assist in filling out the needed paperwork and making sure all appropriate paperwork is included (i.e. PG&E bills, proof of age, etc.). We then call PG&E to make the ‘pledge’ and then fax the paperwork to Salvation Army in San Francisco. We can be reached at 532-7632 and Salvation Army can be reached at 588-1986. Catherine Driver, Engagement Coordinator, Older Adult Outreach & Engagement Program.”

5. Minor Home Repair: Area 12 Agency on Aging offers a program for eligible county seniors “designed to assist seniors over 60 who have home repair problems they cannot resolve which threaten health & safety.” To be eligible, you must: be 60 years of age or older; reside in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties; live in your own home. Typical repairs include… (among others) hard to turn faucets; leaky toilets; door knob repair; install grab bars; repair doors and windows; ramp repair.
Call Area 12 Today for more information on how you can arrange for needed home repairs 209-532-6272… Or go to: http://www.area12.org/support.aspx. Also, you can view their website at: http://www.area12.org

The Tuolumne County Commission on Aging… encourages and welcomes visitors to our meetings and we have vacancies at the moment, so we welcome any interested parties to apply. Attendance at our meetings is recommended to find out if you want to participate. Please come to our meetings and see what we’re about! In future, we will be blogging with even more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned! And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see! We actively solicit your comments. As always, you may contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email: aging2010@gmail.com

Commission on Aging Meeting & Events Calendar 2012

Please also go to MyMotherlode.com Community Events Calendar to see our upcoming events: http://www.mymotherlode.com/community/events

The Commission appears on a regular basis before the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors in order to update them on Commission activities.
(Note re-meeting dates: Sometimes holidays and other events force us to change the day; emailing us at aging2010@gmail.com is always recommended.)

* COA General Meetings, 1:30PM, 2nd Monday each month, at Area 12 Agency on Aging, 19074 Standard Road., Conf. Rm C, Standard CA

*COA Executive Board meetings, 1:00PM,  1st Monday each month, at the Senior Center 540 Greenley Rd, Sonora CA

* COA Public Relations committee meetings, 12:00PM,  1st Wednesday each month, at Interfaith, 18500 Striker Ct., Sonora CA

* COA Legislative committee meetings, 10:30AM,  2nd Thursday each month, at Area 12 Agency on Aging, 19074 Standard Road., Conf. Rm C, Standard CA

* COA Education Committee meetings, 1:30PM,  3rd Thursday each month, Sonora Crossroads Shopping Center, in the Prudential 2nd Floor Conference Room, 133 Old Wards Ferry Rd # G  Sonora, CA

2012 Speakers’ schedule
May – Sam Taylor, Senior Youth Partnership
June – Valerie Farley, ATCAA
July – TBD
August – Dick Pland
September – John Gray, in Groveland

All COA meetings are open to the public. Please come and give us your ideas, concerns, and information regarding senior issues.

In future, we will blog with even more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned! And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see! We actively solicit your comments. You may contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email at aging2010@gmail.com

To go to:
Area 12 Agency on Aging’s website, go here: http://www.area12.org
Little House website, go here: http://thelittlehouse.org
Friends and Neighbors website go here: http://seniorfan.com

THANK YOU for reading our blog! Editor Roberta Goodwin

Website Disclaimer Notice… About Using This Website
Nothing on this website should be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging hereby excludes all representations and warranties whatsoever (whether implied by law or otherwise) relating to the content and use of this site. Information is provided on this site to be accessed and used by the individuals as they see fit and they must do their own due diligence as to the potential value or lack thereof.